Curie Brief
Turn on cookies to sign in
Signing in saves your progress to your Curie account. We can only do that with cookies on — turn them on to continue.
NewsA new era for Parkinson's treatment: The FDA has approved Juvmo (tavapadon), the first-ever selective D1/D5 dopamine receptor partial agonist for Parkinson's disease in adults. Unlike existing dopamine agonists that target D2/D3 receptors, Juvmo offers a novel mechanism with once-daily dosing—usable alone or alongside levodopa. It's expected to hit pharmacy shelves in October 2026.
A new era for Parkinson's treatment
The FDA has approved Juvmo (tavapadon), developed by AbbVie, as the first and only selective D1/D5 dopamine receptor partial agonist for adults with Parkinson's disease (PD). Unlike conventional dopamine agonists that target D2/D3 receptors—often limited by tolerability issues like fatigue and impulse-control behaviors—Juvmo takes a different approach, offering once-daily oral dosing either as a standalone therapy or as an add-on to levodopa.
Approval was based on three pivotal phase 3 TEMPO trials. In early PD patients (TEMPO-1 and TEMPO-2), tavapadon significantly improved daily living scores versus placebo. In patients already on levodopa (TEMPO-3), adding tavapadon increased daily "on" time and reduced "off" time. Notably, after 85 weeks, 93% of participants on tavapadon did not need to increase their levodopa dose.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: Parkinson's treatment has long relied on D2/D3 agonists and levodopa, both of which carry significant side effect burdens over time. Juvmo's unique receptor targeting and once-daily convenience could meaningfully reduce treatment burden and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers alike. Commercial availability is expected in October 2026.
